Features

Day at the Long Beach Grand Prix

The Grand Prix was a competitive, engaging event with high-speed races.

Amelia Gutierrez and Aiden Floyd • April 27, 2026

The Grand Prix featured fast, award-winning cars filled with famous drivers.

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. – From April 16-19, downtown Long Beach transformed into one of the most exciting racing events of the year: The Acura Grand Prix, otherwise known as America’s Greatest Street Race. This Indy race event has been going on for years in Long Beach, with it starting in 1975 under Formula 1, when it was known as the United States Grand Prix West, until 1984, when the event switched to an Indy street-car race.

“I always enjoy going to the races, every part of it is fun to me, even just walking around the expo. I’ve grown up going so it holds a special place for me,” said LAHS senior Gabby Carlton.

The four-day event held six high-class races, Mornings Carnival, concerts and a family fun zone. Thursday was a basic introduction to the cars and drivers featured in the race. It ended with the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame ceremony, in which guests could view different car models.

On Friday, there were many practice races. It started with the Porsche Carrera Cup Practices and Qualifying, Historic Sports Car Practices and International Motor Sports Association Practices. After a day of practices, the day ended at 5 p.m. with an explosive Super Drift Challenge and a Friday concert with Lupe Fiasco.

On Saturday, there were more historic sports-car challenges and Porsche races, and the IMSA sports-car round of three also took place.

Before the headline race, spectators watched the INDYCAR SERIES warm-up and the pre-race. While waiting for the headline race, guests milled around at the Acura Grand Prix Lifestyle EXPO and watched smaller races/competitions.

The racing activities ended with a competitive, passionate display of competition: the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, which was Round #5 of the 2026 INDYCAR SERIES. It featured IndyCar Series cars capable of up to 240 mph. The winner of this race was Alex Palou, who clutched the lead with 3.9663 seconds ahead of Felix Rosenqvist.

“My favorite part about the Grand Prix was getting close to the wall and hearing the cars fly by me,” said LAHS senior Dominic Alberico.

We enjoyed the Grand Prix it was a fun and chaotic experience getting to see and feel the cars drive by. It is a very fun place to go with friends and we would recommended people to go if they enjoy cars. Experience the Grand Prix next year on April 16-18, 2027.

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About the Contributors

Amelia Gutierrez, Social Media Editor

Amelia Gutierrez is a senior at Los Alamitos High School, and this is her second year in Journalism. This year, she is a Social Media Editor, where she runs the Gazette’s Instagram page and edits other classmates’ articles. She is currently gaining journalism experience as a Youth Center fundraising intern and a Spotlight Schools editorial intern. She was published in the Rossmoor Newsletter and hopes to earn a Best of SNO award this year. Outside of school, Amelia enjoys hanging out with her friends and singing and dancing in the LAHS choir program. In her free time, she participates in Key Club and helps the environment. You can contact Amelia at [email protected].

Aiden Floyd, Staff Writer

Aiden Floyd is a senior. This is his second year in journalism. He likes to write and go thrifting. He wrote an article that was published in the SUNN post. He has two cats. He likes to hang out with friends and go out and eat. Aiden likes to travel to places; his hobbies include history and playing games with friends. You can contact Aiden at [email protected].